GARDINER’S FIRST 50 MILER…AND WHAT A 50 MILER IT WAS!

Kate Dzienis • September 28, 2018

Contributed by Sophee Gardiner, WTF 2018 second placer

I wanted to participate in the WTF 50 mile race because it’s an iconic ultra event in Western Australia. I know the course and terrain well, the elevation is not aggressive, and the trail is not technical which seemed perfect for my first 50 miler.

At 4:15am on Saturday (22 September) my running buddy Alexis Oosterhoff and I started the one-hour road trip to the race start in Jarrahdale with my mum Melanee driving and crewing for the day. The race starts with little fanfare; race director David Kennedy draws a line in the dirt then while on the phone to the 100 mile race starters in Dwellingup (who start where the 50 mile race finishes) and after some brief housekeeping he says ‘go’ and off we trot.

My goal going into this race was to finish in 10 hours, an ambitious plan for a debut race. After a late review of previous years’ finish times, I realised that this would potentially put me on the podium and I started to doubt myself quite seriously. Looking at the entrants list, I knew only a few of the names so I figured I might be in with a shot depending on who turned up on the day. I then decided not to tell any more people about my 10 hour plan except my running buddy and my crew as it was just too embarrassing if everything went wrong. It was also predicted to get to 26 degrees which was unseasonably warm and would slow everyone down and likely throw the 10 hour plan out the window.

The first 20kms were on pace or a bit faster than expected, but I was happy to go with its as I was concerned about the heat later in the day. I suspected that I was sitting in second position before the first aid station as we had seen the first female runner Michelle Brown and didn’t anticipate anyone to be in front of her. At this stage, I started to feel the pressure of placing and was thinking a lot about if I could maintain the position and how much it would mean to my husband to be able to say I placed at a race. I knew he would be so proud to be able to say Icompetedin a race and didn’t only get a participation medal.

By the time we hit the next aid station at around the 30km mark it was starting to get quite hot and the pace had dropped down quite a lot. It began to dawn on me how much further this was than a marathon questioning my sanity and my motivations for spending the next seven hours or so trying to get a hunk of metal and a pat on the back. But I had a pep talk (or two) from Alexis, who is a well-seasoned ultra-runner, and kept going.

35km in on the 5km ‘out and back’ section of the course, which was wide fire trail with little tree cover, we really began to feel the effects of the unseasonably warm day. The out and back gave a good opportunity to see where everyone else was on the field and we saw the lead female runner Michelle, who was probably 6km in front. I was in no way chasing her, I was more interested in the third place runner who was about 5km behind.

By 50km both Alexis and I were struggling and calling ‘hill’ for any small rise so we can walk. It was really hot by this stage and my hips were not happy about the punishment. I started to get quite nauseous. Alexis was on and off cramping, and I was more than happy to take walk breaks when they came.

We finally make it to the Oakley Dam turn off which was a short out and back. This is an unsealed gazetted road, quite undulating with lots of downhill which I knew very soon would be uphills, so I was not happy. I knew that mum must have been waiting for quite some time as we are about 45 minutes over our ETA. Here mum decided to tell me she has realised I was in second place. I could tell she was so excited, but I’d just had it now and my body didn’t want to carry on anymore.

When I ask how far to the next aid station, they laughed at me and said it’s the finish line. That certainly perked me up, but as we were getting ready to leave, our third placer arrived into the aid station so the lead I had was shrinking. As I left, another female runner was coming in. Now I really had to hoof it as I think I had 3rd and 4th place right on my heels.

The last 17km was a very familiar section of the race as it is a part of the 6 Inch Trail Marathon also, which was almost a curse because I knew exactly how far I had to go. I started to wish that the runners behind would just overtake me so I could walk the remainder, but still they did not appear. Knowing I was getting close to the finish but trying not to get my hopes up was a delicate task. I thought I would get emotional as I usually do when I push myself to a new limit, but I was quite calm. This might have been me maturing as an ultra runner, or maybe I was too dehydrated, and there were no tears to be had.

There was a big crowd at the finish, Race Director and coach David Kennedy was there and gave me my finishers medal as soon as I crossed the finish line in 10:38:56. My overwhelming feeling at this stage was relief that I didn’t have to run anymore, and maybe slight amazement that there were so many people out here waiting for us. It’s a huge contrast to the last 10 hours of quietude.

I really enjoyed watching the other runners coming in, and I was very pleased to win a prize from sponsor Runningworks for finishing 2nd female, especially as I can’t even win a meat raffle at the bowling club.

Having the competition close behind really gave me the fire I needed to keep going and pushing through those last painful kilometres. I’ve always been competitive, but never good enough to compete at anything, so this experience of ‘racing’ instead of ‘completing’ an event is new and exciting. Everyone wants to be extraordinary, and I thought that this might be a chance to be that, to turn around from a close to last finish in my first Perth Marathon in 2015 (231 of 239) to a 2nd place finish in an ultra marathon in 2018. None of which would have been possible if not for my coach David Kennedy who has been keeping me motivated and on track for the last year or so, and the sacrifices and support my family have given over the last two years. I’m also very lucky to have had such amazing support in the race from Alexis, without whom it would have been much less fun, and probably much slower.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Choo Choo Run by David Martin

August 29, 2025

David Martin heads out with Kevin Matthews on WA's unofficial Choo Choo Run.

COACH'S CORNER - Get The Most From Your Aid Stations by Glen Smetherham

By Kate Dzienis • August 29, 2025

Learn how you can get the most out of your aid stations when competing in an ultra.

From The President (AUGUST 2025)

By Gary Mullins • August 29, 2025

Gary Mullins gives an update to members for the month of August 2025.

Team Manager 2025 IAU Asian and Oceania 100K Championships

By Gary Mullins • August 29, 2025

Location : Bangkok, Thailand Dates : November 21 - 24 2025 Role Type : Volunteer Position Time Commitment : Pre event planning + Travel Application Deadline : 7th September 2025 Thank you for your interest in supporting the Australian team for the 2025 IAU Asian 100k Championships. This role goes far beyond logistics. It’s about leadership, inclusion, and creating a positive, empowering environment for athletes competing on the world stage. AUTRA is committed to opening doors for those outside traditional pathways. We strongly encourage applications from coaches, former athletes, club leaders, volunteers, and passionate community members. You don’t need to have served on a board or managed a team before as we’re looking for people who genuinely care, are highly organised, and can proudly represent our athletes and country. Role Overview As Team Manager, you’ll work closely with AUTRA President Gary Mullins and Vice President Geoff Russell to prepare and support the national team before and during the championship. Pre-Departure Australia Act as the main contact for selected athletes and crew Assist with final entry forms and travel planning Prepare a Championships Agenda in alliance with the Team Managers Agreement Document Coordinate flights, uniforms, and team communications Help identify and organise crew support Attend online team planning meetings On the Ground in Thailand Be present and ready as athletes arrive Ensure all athlete needs are met so they can focus fully on their race Attend all technical meetings and represent the team professionally Coordinate team attendance at the opening and closing ceremonies Ensure the team and crew are prepared, organised, and calm Address any issues that arise with efficiency and discretion Provide hands on leadership and moral support throughout the 24 hour race Support Provided Accommodation in Bangkok for 3 - 4 nights will be provided by AUTRA An official team uniform will be supplied A volunteer allowance of $1500 will be provided to acknowledge your time and service during the championship period What You’ll Need Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Strong organisational ability under pressure A calm, inclusive, and athlete first mindset Commitment to AUTRA’s Code of Conduct Member of AUTRA Applying To apply for the role of Team Manager please CLICK HERE and fill out the Application Form. Applications Close on the 3rd September 2025 Selection Process Following the application deadline, the AUTRA Committee will review all submissions and select the most suitable candidate. All applicants will be contacted by Gary Mullins within 7 days of applications closing. Gary Mullins AUTRA President